Ex-CEO of Applebee's signs on to fast-casual Pie Five

The former chief executive of casual-dining Applebee’s has signed on to be a franchisee of the fast-casual concept Pie Five Pizza Co.

Dave Goebel, who also served as president of Applebee’s, and his sons Kerry and Kevin have signed a franchise agreement to develop 10 units of the fast-casual pizza brand in the Kansas City, Mo., area, the parent Pizza Inn Holdings Inc. of The Colony, Texas, said this week.

Goebel has held executive positions at such other restaurant brands as Ground Round and Boston Market, and he’s on the board of Jack in the Box Inc.

“The industry is always changing and evolving,” Goebel said in a statement. “Pie Five is a game changer in the fast-casual space.”

Goebel also owns Prime Catering and operates Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs and Y-Leave Café locations in the Kansas City area.

With the addition of Goebel, Pie Five said it has signed development agreements in the last six months for 38 locations that will also take the chain to Florida, North Carolina and Utah.

Pizza Inn Holdings owns and franchises about 300 restaurants under the Pie Five and Pizza Inn brands.